Schaedig’s resignation accepted; Mancine to stay at interim through June, ’07

There was some shuffling at the top at Monday?s meeting of the Rogers City School Board of Education. Longtime business manager Don Schaedig?s resignation became official at the meeting. Schaedig, who began his work for the school district in 1968, submitted a letter of resignation dated December 30, 2005. He had been a contracted employee since last year, serving in a part time capacity since he opted to reduce his hours and responsibilities. Schaedig?s responsibilities have been gradually spread out over the past year in anticipation of his departure. He will serve as an advisor and mentor to the office staff for up to 40 hours per month. ?We are all going to do some more and work as a team to get this accomplished,? said interim superintendent Paul Mancine.

BOARD PRESIDENT Mike Marx praised Schaedig for his diligence over the years. Mancine will be wearing the ?interim? tag for at least another year after the board voted unanimously to extend his contract through June 30, 2007. The former Alcona superintendent was originally hired to bridge the gap until a permanent superintendent could be found to replace Ed Schultz, whose contract was not renewed last year. Marx gave each member of the board the opportunity to respond to his question of ?what do we do now?? in light of Posen?s decision to opt out of the idea of sharing a superintendent between the schools.

?At this point in time, it isn?t going to work with Posen, but that doesn?t mean it can?t work in the future,? Marx said. The boards gained a good working relationship with each other, which bodes well for future cooperative efforts, he said.

WHEN ASKED for their opinion on whether to stick with Mancine for another year or begin a new search, members said stay the course for another year. Some said they changed their minds, thinking it best to keep Mancine o

n instead of their original thought to look for a new person to fill the job. ?In Mr. Mancine, we have an individual who can truly help this district,? said board member Scott McLennan. Board member Armand Loiselle said he changed his mind recently. ?I was in the camp that we ought to move on, getting started on a search for a new superintendent but I have changed my mind,? he said. With negotiations for teachers and support staff on the horizon, continuity was important, he said. Other board members agreed. Lee Gapczynski said, ?We have a lot going on and Mr. Mancine is doing a great job. We should retain him.?

MANCINE MADE himself available after asking his wife for the OK, he said, seemly content to know he would be in Rogers City for the coming school year. Marx commended the board for thinking the process through independently. ?I think we have a chance to continue to have a good thing. I commend the board for the job of thinking things through,? he said. The interim superintendent works a part time schedule of approximately three and one-half days per week.

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